Sad 2 Say
By JS
She was born to a single mother
Father tried to come back when she was ten
He came with clothes and gifts, but she was already
cold within
His love was what she yearned for, but he was too dumb to understand
Not to mention the streets had given her a kiss on the cheek
And when I wasn’t looking, the streets held
her hand
Mother tried to supervise
But it’s hard for a single mother who is raising 3 kids
Plus she had 2 jobs, somebody has to put food
in the fridge
The little girl is now twelve
Skipping school and getting drunk
She’s loving the attention that she’s getting from the boys
Sometimes, she runs away for days, leaving the mother worried sick
The father done packed his bags, said f*ck her life he’s going to live his
This is not a rare story in the hood, this is how it is
A lot of mothers are struggling
The worst part is when they lose control of their kids
The little girl gets pregnant, and the cycle repeats
It’s messed up how they set it up for the poor
Let the poor stay poor and the rich get richer
Flood the hood with drugs
Oh and give them guns too
Let’s limit their education and give them low paying gigs
The part that’s really messed up is that they said, “F*ck the kids”
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Woah! Its really sad to realize that this is life. The ending truly got me a tad teary. Just reading it not even writing you can tell how much emotion is put into the writing of this. Great job capturing the moment and getting readers to picture it in their minds.
This was a heart-whelming poem that raised attention to inequality, poverty, and the problems that many suffer. I believe this was a quick glimpse within the personal life of the author, but many may share the same experiences. This is what life living in a city, or anyone suffering from poverty can lead to separations, going on the streets to earn money in any way; but starting this process at a young age, and having it seem like the only way of life. Children face many difficulties, and this was an insight into what some face; neglect, lack of support and attention, making them feel they have to survive on their own so relying on help from people in the streets. I enjoy how you were raising attention towards this matter, in a beautiful, moving way. The last line was the cherry on top and made the poem all come together in a way to really move the readers, and get the point across while showing anger towards the situation.
This poem relays such a sad, but unfortunately true story. Situations like this are quite common and this poem did a great job depicting the harsh realities that some people have to live. It also alludes to how a parental figure leaving a child’s life can have a great impact on their future.
This is the sad reality of the world, most crime, and especially gang-related crime has to do with economics and the way we run our country. The rich do continue to become richer and avoid tax breaks, while housing keeps increasing for middle and lower-class families to keep up while average wages continue to stay the same. They just want a better life for themselves and their families, and the world feels so unfair that it makes us angry, that’s the biology within us, the sense of unjustness, and it’s not felt until it happens to you.
This is a very powerful and inspiring poem on the inequalities so many people face that are unknown, they only care about the crime and severity, not the true intentions behind them. This is the classic example where a woman kills the man who’s been abusing/raping her, her killing him for it, and receiving 30 years while he only received 10 for abusing her and the children! I would love to say I’m making this story up, but it’s true and I’m sure there are many more! I hope that some fairness comes your way and best of luck,
~JP
Wow. I think this poem is truly well written and I would not change anything about it. This poem uses emotion and strong wording that created an impactful story. You can tell how the narrative is feeling and how they are affected just by the language being used here. I think someone else reading this who may be going through a similar situation would be able to relate and know that they are not alone. Great Job!
I like that you brought awareness to the struggle that happens in lower-class communities. There are many single mothers and kids growing up with one parent and so desperately need the love and attention of the missing parent. Because of this challenge, many children grow into adults seeking love and attention from the wrong place.
This is a fantastic poem. The word choice and the storytelling make this piece worth the read. Now I would say it’s a joy to read but I would be lying. This piece deals with the heavy reality of the world and your right it’s the government’s way of keeping the lower class poor. You put yourself inside the poem, unlike other poets. You aren’t a third person explaining the situation, you are in it. I think you have a knack for writing and could be very influential one day.
This is a really deep and meaningful poem. Reading it really moved me and also emphasized the flaws in our society. The reality of this poem is quite sad because this is a reality for too many young people. It shows how being born into poverty can unfortunately trap you in a cycle that is difficult to escape from.
Hello JS,
I love the directness and honesty of this poem, especially the first stanza. The first stanza really set up for me the inter-generational disappointment–and can I say, failure?–that is illustrated throughout the poem. By the end of the poem, I was moved to the reality that it is not just families that are failing their children, but the larger society that is failing by flooding the hood with drugs and guns and not providing the education and the jobs that are critical to allow families to thrive.
The use of cardinal numbers (2, 3) in this poem is interesting too. Sad 2 Say. 2 jobs, 3 kids. I wonder if there is more to be said about the numbers…mothers who have 3 kids but only 2 or 1 survive, etc. 5 shootings in a weekend, nameless/faceless numbers….
I’m looking forward to reading more of your poetry, JS.
Best wishes,
Clare
Dear JS,
Your poem shows the true feelings of how hard the struggle of growing up in a home with intense adversities can be for many with yourself included. The emotion in your wording can make someone who didn’t go through this feel the pain, but of course not nearly as much as the ones who did. In the intro where you state; “Father tried to come back when she was ten
He came with clothes and gifts, but she was already
cold within” shows how at the young age of 10, not having an absent father already had irreversible effects and you are extremely valid for those feelings. It is incredibly strong of you to still have empathy towards your mother and knowing she tried her best to raise you and her siblings, this is not something many people can do and you should be proud for feeling that way, even if you have some negative feelings towards her. Most importantly, you should never blame yourself for past mistakes as a child if you happen to do so. Children are curious with substances and mischievous naturally, and the parents are supposed to be there to control that and stop these things. At such a young age, we as people also do not understand the true damages of these choices, especially when not educated on them. I also appreciate how you added how this is unfortunately a common story amongst many, that really shows how much you care about wanting a change for families and most importantly the children who have at home lives with a lack of role models. This is a poem that will touch many to read. Those who can relate and some who even cannot relate would certainly love to hear your personal story. I am proud of you.
I feel that your poem paints a story that is very common and saddening. I think its brings attention to the importance of the problems people are facing and the cycle that is constantly repeating, and how we should help to fix it. Your poem made me feel real emotions. You did a great job with this to show the importance of this problem in society.
This poem is a more personal look into how broken families can affect children, and what those children go through more specifically. It does a good job of showing how this cycle perpetuates and why it still keeps happening to the day.
JS I really feel for you i really do, you are not alone in this world. I grew up with a single mom and that passion I saw in you writing this I had to pick it. But having that single mom in my life gave me that drive to do my best. If this poem is about you just know you are a strong person and it will get by, you should be proud that you are doing a kickass job.
Hello,
Really great poem! I enjoyed reading this because it felt so lively and inspiring. The message behind this poem was aimed at parents as they do not treat their kids in a 100% fully supportive family. It was such a heartfelt message, good job!
Hello JS,
I really enjoyed how your poem told a story. I also liked how I can relate to some of the story so I can imagine my story in the parts through your story. I would love to know where you fit into this story, what part is your part. It’s really creative that you wrote a story but transformed it into a poem. You should definitely continue to write poems! It was really interesting to learn about what they are doing in the “hood.” It’s kind of ironic because I’m learning about that exact thing in my sociology class in college.
This poem is real. I grew up in the inner city of New York and this story was common for kids that never really had a chance. Keep spreading this message and inspiring the world to wake up to reality.
As stated in the poem, “This is not a rare story in the hood”. In low income communities, there seems to be the repetition of a young girl with a single mother who eventually gets pregnant. This cycle has to stop. The poem highlighted and explained how poor people doesn’t get a lot of opportunities. They do what they have to do to get by and it’s tragic. Great poem!
This poem tells a story of a girl with a very sad start in life. This story is shown to be common in the hood and is very powerful in showing the struggles of each individual in the poem. Its attempt in showing the issues of society is successful and not only creates symphony for the people in the poem but others who also experience these situations. The last line is very powerful, it is unexpected to hear people not caring about children. This poem is really powerful in showing injustice and the struggle of poverty.
JS,
Wow what a powerful, insightful poem. I can feel your passion and your convention. Thank you for sharing this. Keep writing and spreading awareness. I have full faith that poems like yours are what change the issues you highlight, slowly but surely.
JS, this poem is powerful. I encourage you to keep writing – fight for change. Keep sharing your story and the stories of others who have known this pain. Awareness of these struggles is on the rise – young people across the country are waking up. Change takes time, but, through vehicles much like your poetry, awareness can spread like wildfire in this age of information. The younger generation is one of growing empathy and they will support and advocate for you in your desire to create change. Don’t succumb to apathy – be the change.
This poem is such a powerful and emotional piece. You did just a good job with keeping your readers attention. Your words were beautiful and emotional and I felt your emotions as I read it. You are so talented and thank you for sharing this with me!! Keep up the good work and never stop writing!!
This poetry, in my opinion, is quite beautifully written, and I wouldn’t change a thing. This poem tells a powerful story through the use of strong language and passion. Just by looking at the language used, you can determine how the characters in the story are feeling and how they are being affected. Reading it greatly affected me and brought home the shortcomings of our society.
Really powerful poem! Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing this story! It is a hard reality and definitely needs to be brought to the forefront!
Wow, JS. As someone who was raised by a single mother struggling to put food on the table, this really resonated with me. The line about the streets holding her hand was so heartbreaking because of the truth that it holds. The way that you speak about the continuity of the cycle is so candid and moving, thank you for sharing this.
I like the way the author personifies “the streets” holding the little girl’s hand. It greatly emphasizes the places that children in this situation turn for comfort it the absence of a father figure.
This poem was very deep and meaningful…only a few would really understand. The way you expressed your feelings within the poem was excellent. Although the poem was sad, you still executed it well! Great poem!
The cycle never ends. This poem is insightful and aware of the issues that low socioeconomic families face. Poverty and crime are potent forces driving this emotional and descriptive poem. The use of language provides the distress and anger that the cycle eludes.
This poem is profound. It shows the cycle that the poor fall into, and once you get into the cycle it is very difficult to get out. Society doesn’t make it any easier by looking down upon the poorer neighborhoods and making them worse and then blaming the neighborhood for being the way it is. Very great poem with amazing imagery.
This completely captures how broken the system is and brings attention to the lack of resources and opportunities that some communities have. It is a negative feedback loop of oppression.
As a young black man I’m in awe. You’ve told our story in a way that can’t be unheard. I want to thank you. Keep writing poetry because you’re impacting a lot of people. I love you’re writing style. Add some figurative language to make it sharper but you keep going.
I can tell that this poem is very personal to you. I am sorry for what you have been through. Every child deserves to feel loved by their parents. Reading this poem pulled at my heart and made me sad. It is very disappointing the way society is right now, but you are not wrong. Your poem, unfortunately, captures the way society is. The way you capture this truth is empowering though. You call for the change we need in society. I hope you continue to write more empowering poems.
This poem is breath-taking. The way the poem begins by bringing the reader straight into the main point while also providing some important background information and setting the scene is incredible! The theme is so powerful and speaks about a lot of people’s situations. This poem does a great job in highlighting how our society is flawed, and brings light to such a sad but real situation for many less fortunate families. I also love that this poem highlights how these issues affect different people. We learn about the young girl, her absent father, and her mother, all while also being reminded of the issues ongoing in their community.
This poem is written amazingly. The way you convey emotion throughout the poem as if I can feel the exact anger & struggles endured. This poem was not only written so well but the meaning behind it is even greater. Essentially telling the real life story that many kids struggle with everyday. The realistic yet harsh realities when it comes to teen pregnancy, abusing substances and ultimately filling those voids from your troubled youth. Not only did you touch upon the single mother and no dad but you also delved into the hard truth of what stems from that. How inequality is such an ongoing problem in this world and how hindering it is to life when being raised in such a situation with no choice but to accept it and watch society ignore this cycle. This was so beautiful because as someone who has not been in your shoes, this poem gave me the ability to empathize with the hardships you spoke about. The details used gave the audience the ability to create pictures and scenes as we read your poem. It takes a very good writer to be able to get their audience to feel some type of way, and you did it perfectly. This is by far one of the best poems I have ever read and I give you a lot of respect to be able to free your mind and talk about such a topic that definitely brings up certain emotions.
Wow. What a truly meaningful and impactful poem. The way you describe that the streets held the girl’s hand when her father figure wouldn’t was really impactful and saddening. It’s terrible that this is how much of the nation lives, and this imagery and cruelty really highlights the need for change. I really appreciate the story you share and the injustice you highlight. Keep writing as your work change my worldview. Stay safe, and I look forward to your next work.
The way in which you wrote this poem brings forth so much emotion. Not only does it show how broken the system is and how difficult the cycle is to break at times, but it also brings forth raw emotion to show how it impacts the people who are, with no choice, a part of this cycle. It is difficult to imagine what it’s really like to experience, but I think you were able to tell a story so many people have had to experience.